Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauf Hakeem said his talks with the Norwegian Peace Envoy, Eric Solheim, were neither optimistic nor pessimistic.
" Solheim and I had a cordial discussion on the ongoing Peace talks. I, on behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) put forward our proposals. But, I cannot say that the talks were as successful as we expected . However, they were very cordial,with Solheim giving our side of the story a serious ear," Hakeem said.
When Solheim was leaving the room after the talks, he was asked about the outcome. His reply was "Please ask Hakeem what went on. The talks were cordial and I have taken serious note of them."
Addressing the media, Hakeem said that the maximum pressure and effect must be generated to kick-start the peace talks at the earliest possible time."
"Even the President had not spelled out her firm determination towards the resumption of the peace talks and proposed that the government must co-operate with the opposition towards a permanent peaceful solution," Hakeem said.
He said that the JVP, based on the ISGA had once again shown its dissension over the peace talks. "The visit of the Foreign Minister, Jan Peterson and his delegation on Wednesday [10/11] will add much encouragement towards the resumption of Peace Talks."
Hakeem also noted that the speech by Prabhakaran, scheduled for November 26, will give an indication to what the future holds for the resumption of the Peace Talks.
"The delay in the resumption of the Peace Talks," Hakeem said "is a dangerous omen and this shows that the LTTE is still not prepared to come to the table for peace talks."
He also reminded that the Oslo talks in the latter part of 2002 was not a declaration, but a statement only.
"The SLMC has introduced a Muslim Rights Organisation to go into the losses of those Muslims who were forced to leave their homeland due to trouble erupting in the North/East.
SLMC MPs, Faiz Cassim, Basheer Segudawood, M.A Faiz, S. Najumudeen, Nizam Kariappah, member of the SLMC Politbureau, M. T. Hassen Ali, General Secretary, and M. A. Baiz represented the SLMC at the discussion.
